In 1321, under the reign of Pope John XXII, four barrels were brought from the papal cellar in Avignon to be filled with wine in Châteauneuf. Subsequently, the Popes increased their vineyard holdings in the region and the papal wine gained in fame. The Beaucastel family were living in Courthezon by the middle of the sixteenth century. In 1549 "Noble Pierre de Beaucastel" bought "a barn with its plot of land extending to 52 saumées at Coudoulet". Later, the manor house that we know today was built here and you can still see the arms of the Beaucastel family sculpted in stone in one of walls of the drawingroom. The Beaucastels were among the more notable families of this little town and in 1687 Pierre de Beaucastel, in recognition of his conversion to Catholicism after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, was appointed "Capitaine de la ville de Courthezon" by Louis XIV. The letter from Louis XIV, also signed by Colbert, to Pierre de Beaucastel is still in our Read more »

In 1321, under the reign of Pope John XXII, four barrels were brought from the papal cellar in Avignon to be filled with wine in Châteauneuf. Subsequently, the Popes increased their vineyard holdings in the region and the papal wine gained in fame. The Beaucastel family were living in Courthezon by the middle of the sixteenth century. In 1549 "Noble Pierre de Beaucastel" bought "a barn with its plot of land extending to 52 saumées at Coudoulet". Later, the manor house that we know today was built here and you can still see the arms of the Beaucastel family sculpted in stone in one of walls of the drawingroom. The Beaucastels were among the more notable families of this little town and in 1687 Pierre de Beaucastel, in recognition of his conversion to Catholicism after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, was appointed "Capitaine de la ville de Courthezon" by Louis XIV. The letter from Louis XIV, also signed by Colbert, to Pierre de Beaucastel is still in our possession. Two centuries later at the time of the phylloxera, the owner of Beaucastel was Elie Dussaud, a companion of Ferdinand de Lesseps who built the Suez Canal. In 1909 Pierre Tramier bought the property and Beaucastel then passed to his son-in-law, Pierre Perrin, a scientist who considerably increased the vineyard holding. His efforts were continued by Jacques Perrin until 1978... Today the torch is carried by Jean Pierre and François, sons of Jacques. But Marc, Pierre, Thomas and Matthieu, who represent the fifth generation, are ready to pursue this fabulous family history.

The nose swirls with chocolate, tobacco, cigar box, pepper, plum, and oak. Allow 30 minutes for taming, and this wine will stalk the palate with expressions of chocolate-covered cherry, cigar, and dark fruit, including black raspberry and plum, follow...

This 2009 Blend of Counoise, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Grenache & Syrah from Rhone, France is excellent. Good Ruby-red color with a tight rim variation. Fruit notes of plum and fig with a hint of cocoa and tobacco. It has a long finish on the palette with m...

As usual Coudoulet punches well above it's price class! This is so well framed with the assertive structure of 2005 wrapped in a deep flannelly blanket of spicy plum fruits. There are nice mineral, floral and earthen notes here but this is really about...

A nice wine from Orin Swift. This is a blend of Zinfandel and a handful of other grapes. Had very nice undertones of earth and stone with some big fruit and a touch of residual sugar. Definitely a bold wine, and though we drank it without food, I suspe...

This dark red almost purple wine smells of thick berry jam and no smell of the alcohol even though it was more than 15%! A fruity wine that is easy to drink with nicely balanced acidity and tannins. Taste of dark ripe firm cherries! Very enjoyable with...

I little young of course but again, Orin Swift has come through!!! Let sit open in fridge a bit before tasting - (my opinion on this type wine and I feel a chill makes it better) - spice/black rasberry/pepper on the nose - Jammy fruits - smooth in th...

With a very youthful initial pop of butter tinged graham cracker this quickly settles down revealing sweet and sour cherried fruit with medicinal and root beer tones. A bit of alcoholic heat compared to the older wines. There is a toffeed sweetness to ...

The nose was reticent yet refined with perfectly ripe blackberry, spice, and hints of wood and stems. It opened over time with sweeter fruit and hints of undergrowth. On the palate, it was beautifully balanced and smooth yet holding back at first. As i...

Great flavor at affordable price. Thick bottle like Primitivo di Manduria from San Marzano. Found it in a Japanese discount chain. They imported boatloads when dollar was still low. Thanks to Joe Shirley I'm enjoying excellent Zin in the land of great Sake but overpriced wine.
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Wine review
by
wsanton

March 2013

This past week the cycling pros took part in Paris-Nice, also known as the race to the sun - it starts in Paris and travels South ending in Nice. The fifth stage started in Chateauneuf du Pape.The Catholic Church also welcomed a new Pope, which always reminds me of how Chateauneuf du Pape got its name (courtesy of Pope Clement V back in the 130...
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For the price, uniqueness and taste this is my favorite bottle right now. Find it in the other reds isle at total wine, the blend is unique really nothing else that tastes similar. low tannins but great.
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This 2009 Blend of Counoise, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Grenache & Syrah from Rhone, France is excellent. Good Ruby-red color with a tight rim variation. Fruit notes of plum and fig with a hint of cocoa and tobacco. It has a long finish on the palette with mid acidity. This wine has not peaked and will mature nicely over time (2019-2024). Best served ...
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